Homily for December 29, 2019

There is a city in Germany called Weinsberg. Overlooking the city is a high hill. On the very top of the hill stands an ancient fortress. The townspeople of Weinsberg tell an interesting legend about that fortress and that hill.

Back in the 15th century – in the days of chivalry and honor – an enemy encircled the hill, trapping all the townspeople inside the fortress. The enemy commander sent word to the fortress that he would allow the women and children to go free before he attacked.

After further negotiations, the enemy commander also agreed to let each woman take to freedom with her the most valuable possession she owned, provided she could carry it. A few minutes later, the women marched out of the fortress, each one carrying her husband on her back.

This is a great legend, not just because of its creative twist, but because of its eternal truth. Even with the imperfections of family life, it is a life of immeasurable value.

Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, a feast that touches the heart of daily life for most people and our calling to be family to one another in so many different ways. It reminds us that we are called to be the kind of husband and father that Joseph was; that we are called to be the kind of wife and mother that Mary was, that we are called to be like Jesus in our roles as sons and daughters and, really, in all areas of our lives.

What advice might the Holy Family give us if we asked for one simple tip on how to be better persons? A newspaper article that came out several years ago when former first lady Ladybird Johnson turned seventy-five. The reporter asked Mrs. Johnson if she had any words of advice to give people on her 75th birthday. She said, “Yes. Each day, do a little bit more than you think you can.”

This is good advice and it might well be the kind of advice we could receive from the Holy Family:

Each day, do a little bit more than you think you can.

Each day, love a little bit more than you think you can.

Each day, forgive a little bit more than you think you can.

Each day, reach out to someone who is hurting a little bit more than you think you can.

Each day, sacrifice for others a little bit more than you think you can.

Each day, encourage one another a little bit more than you think you can.

If each one of us in this church made that our New Year’s resolution for the year ahead, it would be one of the greatest gifts we could give one another. +